Who, what and where? What politicians are doing this week

This week is going to be a busy week for politicians, both at national and party level. The ANC’s NEC meets on Monday to try and resolve several critical internal issues. Hearings on land reform amendments also start on Monday and MPs will have a busy week in Parliament.

It is important to note the hearings on land reform amendments are separate from the hearings about possible amendments to section 25 of the Constitution. Those hearings by Parliament’s constitutional review committee are set to start next week.

The NEC is expected to hear back from deputy-secretary general Jessie Duarte, who met with ANC members in the Eastern Cape who threatened to ask a court to declare the provincial elective conference from last year invalid.

If this action succeeds the ANC’s national conference could be declared invalid, which would mean the current NEC and leadership are illegitimate.

Duarte will also deliver a report the NEC regarding the long-standing and deep divide in KwaZulu-Natal. She led a special team tasked with resolving the problems in the conflict-ridden province over the weekend.

The NEC is also expected to consider new candidates for the current vacant premiership of the North West province. No replacement for Supra Mahumapelo has as yet been appointed. The NEC rejected all the previous candidates provided by the ANC in North West.

2. Land reform hearings start in Limpopo

Parliament’s portfolio committee on rural development and land reform starts its public hearings in Limpopo on Monday in Limpopo. The hearings are looking at possible amendments to the Restitution of Land Rights Bill.

BusinessLive.co.za reported that the bill looks to change the cut-off date for land claims by those who were disposed of their rightful property.

3. Hearings into the party funding bill

Parliament’s ad hoc committee on party funding will start public participation hearings on Wednesday. If the proposed party funding bill (which was adopted by MPs in March) is passed political parties will be forced to be more transparent about where and from whom they receive their funding from.

4. Deputy President David Mabuza in Parliament for questions and answers

David Mabuza will once again face a Q&A session in Parliament. Mabuza is scheduled to appear in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday.

5. National minimum wage and other bills

The national minimum wage draft amendment bill, along with other labour law bills will come up for debate in the National Council of Provinces this week. This could possibly clear the way for the bill to be ratified and being sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa to be signed into law.